Phyllis Brown
It is said that no one embodies Old Hollywood glamour more than Audrey Hepburn. The three-time BAFTA winner was a fashion icon as much as a film legend.
“Audrey’s aesthetic was timeless, minimalist, and modern,” says fashion expert Meghan Friedlander. She notes that Hepburn’s true aesthetic was her authenticity. “So much of fashion is instinct and her greatest secret was her intuition.”
Hepburn’s iconic style took off when she teamed up with designer Hubert de Givenchy for the film Sabrina in 1953. Together, they created the “Hepburn Look,” characterized by clean lines, solid colors, and elegant details.
Despite her classic style, Hepburn embraced new trends. In the 1960s, she experimented with mod fashion, shorter skirts, and bright colors in films like “How to Steal a Million” and “Two for the Road.”
By the 1970s, semi-retired and living in Rome, she opted for Valentino and boutique designs.
Exploring Audrey Hepburn’s most iconic looks reveals a timeless yet signature aesthetic that still resonates today.
1. Audrey Hepburn’s “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” Dress
No list of Audrey Hepburn’s iconic looks is complete without mentioning her black Givenchy dress in “Breakfast at Tiffany’s.”
This ensemble, paired with oversized sunglasses, opera gloves, and a stunning yellow diamond and pearl Tiffany necklace, is one of the most emulated in cinematic history.
“What makes the dress distinctive is the back,” explains Meghan Friedlander. “The backline is designed in the shape of a crescent moon, adding drama to the minimalist design.”
Interestingly, Hepburn wasn’t the first choice for Holly Golightly; Truman Capote had hoped for Marilyn Monroe. Yet, from the moment Hepburn, adorned in pearls and the long black gown, stood before Tiffany & Co., a fashion legend was born.
This iconic scene cemented the timeless appeal of the little black dress, making it a staple in wardrobes around the world.
2. Audrey Hepburn In Capri Pants And Ballet Flats
Audrey Hepburn had a unique ability to transform basic separates into effortlessly elegant outfits. Black capri pants and ballet flats were among her essentials.
“Audrey is synonymous with the ballet flat,” says fashion expert Meghan Friedlander. “She had pairs in practically every color, custom-made in Italy by Salvatore Ferragamo.”
No form of footwear is more associated with Hepburn than the ballet flat. Given her background in dance — her first career dream was to be a ballet dancer — this choice is unsurprising.
When a selection of her personal garments and belongings were auctioned off by Christie’s in 2017, her wardrobe revealed a rainbow of leather pumps in sky blue, emerald green, and marigold. She wore them with everything from cropped trousers and swing skirts to boxy blazers.
Hepburn’s knack for elevating simple items to iconic status highlights her timeless style and keen fashion sense, making her a perpetual inspiration for fashion lovers.
3. Audrey Hepburn At The 26th Annual Academy Awards
At the 26th Annual Academy Awards, Audrey Hepburn won Best Actress for her role in “Roman Holiday,” wearing a modified version of the floral dress from the film’s final scene.
“The gown was originally designed by Edith Head, but Audrey asked Hubert de Givenchy to modify it,” explains fashion expert Meghan Friedlander.
Givenchy removed the sleeves and added a “décolleté Sabrina,” enhancing the dress’s intricate floral appliqué and lacework. This dress became an instant classic and sold for over $130,000 at auction in 2011.
Hepburn’s appearance in the white Givenchy dress, belted at the waist, with her signature cropped haircut and striking eyebrows, marked the start of her red-carpet legacy. This look popularized sheer floral lace for future generations of actresses and secured her place as a fashion icon.
4. Audrey Hepburn In Gingham Capris
One of her quintessential looks that continues to inspire is the gingham trousers paired with simple flats and crisp white tops. These trousers in monochrome and picnic blanket blue and pink are versatile staples in her wardrobe.
In 1955, renowned photographer Norman Parkinson captured Audrey in this iconic ensemble while she was in Italy shooting “War and Peace.” She often styled these trousers with a sleeveless turtleneck top, as seen in this charming photo with her husband, Mel Ferrer.
This combination of gingham or pastel trousers with a plain blouse was a favorite of hers, and she was frequently photographed wearing it alongside animals, including her beloved pet deer, Pippin.
This look exemplifies how Audrey stayed true to her personal style while taking fashion risks. Her gingham pants, whether styled with a button-down shirt or a stylish statement coat, remain timeless and effortlessly chic.
This classic Audrey Hepburn style wouldn’t seem out of place in today’s fashion.
5. Audrey Hepburn’s “Sabrina” Ball Gown
One of Audrey Hepburn’s most opulent gowns, and a favorite of fashion expert Meghan Friedlander, is the black and white Givenchy ballgown she wore in “Sabrina.” Known as the Inez de Castro gown, this dress “fit her like a dream,” according to Friedlander.
A standout feature of this gown is its detachable skirt, a unique touch by the Gentleman Couturier, Hubert de Givenchy.
This elegant gown perfectly showcases Hepburn’s timeless style and Givenchy’s innovative design, making it a memorable piece in fashion history.
6. Audrey Hepburn’s “Sabrina” LBD
If a little black dress (LBD) ever changed the fashion world, it was the one Audrey Hepburn wore in the opening scene of “Sabrina.”
“Audrey wasn’t fond of the original design and requested that Givenchy change the neckline to hide her collarbones,” explains fashion expert Meghan Friedlander.
Givenchy complied, and that small adjustment made fashion history. The neckline, originally called the décolleté bateau, is now famously known as the décolleté Sabrina.
This iconic modification showcased Hepburn’s influence and Givenchy’s willingness to innovate.
7. Audrey Hepburn In A White Button-Down
Another staple in Audrey Hepburn’s wardrobe was the white button-down shirt. “Off-screen, Audrey was often described as running around the studio lot in a pair of capri pants and a white button-down shirt,” says fashion expert Meghan Friedlander.
This simple yet chic ensemble was her unofficial uniform, whether she was in Hollywood filming “Sabrina” or in Paris filming “Charade.” The white button-down shirt, paired with capri pants, epitomized her effortless elegance and became a timeless look in fashion history.
8. Audrey Hepburn Wearing A Statement Coat
“Never underestimate the importance of a signature coat,” says Friedlander. Givenchy excelled in designing coats, as seen with Holly Golightly’s iconic double-breasted orange coat in “Breakfast at Tiffany’s.”
It featured a funnel neckline and a tie at the waist, perfectly blending elegance with practicality.
When styling a statement coat with Audrey Hepburn’s fashion cues, Friedlander suggests keeping the silhouette simple.
“You can wear it casually with a t-shirt and jeans or over a sheath dress with a pair of oversized sunglasses,” she recommends. This approach maintains a chic and timeless look.
9. Audrey Hepburn’s “Roman Holiday” Style
While not as flashy as her iconic “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” wardrobe, Audrey Hepburn’s outfits in the 1953 film “Roman Holiday” exude a romantic charm.
The belted skirt and collared blouse, with clean lines and a waist-cinching silhouette, stand out. Each outfit she wore as Princess Ann radiated polished sophistication.
In “Roman Holiday,” Hepburn plays a princess exploring Rome, her fresh-faced elegance highlighted by a blouse, voluminous skirt, rolled-up sleeves, a striped neck scarf, and ice cream in hand against Rome’s picturesque streets.
“The looks were so immaculate that Paramount Studios gifted Audrey her entire “Roman Holiday” wardrobe as a wedding gift,” shares Friedlander. Although she never married her then-fiancé, James Hanson, she likely enjoyed wearing the gifted ensembles.
10. Audrey Hepburn In A Yellow Summer Dress
Nothing exudes happy summer vibes like Audrey Hepburn in a yellow floral print dress paired with a sunhat. This cheerful ensemble radiates warmth and elegance, capturing the essence of a perfect summer day.
The playful floral pattern and bright hue complement her timeless style, making this look a delightful inspiration for summer wardrobes.
